The Parisians scored four tries, by Mickaël Ivaldi (15th), Sekou Macalou (35th), Romain Briatte (48th) and Lester Etien (79th), and thus climbed to second place in the standings, one point ahead of their opponents of the day and Racing 92, which travels to Toulon on Sunday.
The Toulouse leader, who defeated Perpignan (34-13), is eight points away.
A week before their reunion with the Champions Cup, where they therefore challenge their title in front of Northampton, the Maritimes are themselves stopped dead after two successes in a row.
Gonzalo Quesada's men, for their part, put an end to a negative series of three games without a win (one draw, two defeats).
Better, they find the smile at home and relaunch in the race for the final phase, their objective of the year, before two weeks of break dedicated to continental games.
Things got off to a bad start after this try by winger Martin Alonso Munoz, all in cunning, from the 2nd minute.
After the demonstration against Castres (53-7), a week ago, the Rochelais seemed launched …
But the beautiful maritime machine went off the rails and the Parisians got their hands on the ball, taking advantage of La Rochelle's indiscipline and clumsiness, like this badly played touch, a few meters from the in-goal, on the Briatte's essay.
For only answer, the visitors had to settle for three penalties from Antoine Hastoy (9 points) while the locals scored three tries.
And even a fifth, finally refused, by the Swiss army knife of the XV of France, Macalou having pushed Brice Dulin before recovering the ball to flatten (48th).
Whatever, the Rochelais were muzzled in the second half and never could, never knew how to worry long-toothed Parisians with this improved victory.
The duty accomplished, the French Stadium will be able to blow and turn in a week with the reception of the Italians of Benetton in the Challenge Cup.
La Rochelle will have to show another face in front of Northampton, currently 5th in the English championship and dominated over the weekend by Gloucester (34-19).
© 2022 AFP